CO129-299 - Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [5-6] — Page 190

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the population in British Kowloon in the 6 years from 1891 to 1897 amounted to 38 per cent; the last two years have seen extreme activity in building work on the peninsula, and I feel sure it will be found that Mr. Gibbs does not overestimate the

quantity of water mich will be required in a short time.

If the works projected in this report are not carried out, the inhabitants will certainly have to fall back

on wells, which would I fear have a bad effect on the sanita-

tion or the district.

The completion of this scheme would render it

possible to provide fire hydrants throughout the districts built

on, and to add 3% to the rates and taxes, which would bring

in no inconsiderable amount of additional revenue.

I beg to recommend that Mr. Gibbs'report be

printed, as it will be valuable for future reference, and

that a copy be sent to Mr.0.Chadwick for his opinion. I en-

tirely approve of the sites selected for the reservoirs and

the proposed works of construction.

If the schere generally meets with the appro- val of the Consulting Engineer, as a preliminary step about 18,000 lineal feet of cast iron pipes with valves and specials, portion of the future main, should be obtained this year, and could be laid next winter from the intake above the new road

to Tai-po to Mongkoktsui, where we have now laid a 4" pipe to convey the dry weather flow. With a 12" pipe here, for several

months in the wet season we could obtain a sufficient supply

for the whole peninsula from streams now ruming to waste,

and so save in pumping a sum of from $2,000 to $5,000 a year.

I have etc.,

(Sd.) R.D.Ormsby,

Director of Public Works.